By Dr Stephen Leah
10 Jan 2025
How the Balfour Project grew to be influential in helping people learn about the tragic conflict in Israel/Palestine
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
So is quoted Margaret Mead at the end of the wonderful new book Why Didn’t I know? Britain’s Legacy in Palestine by Monica Spooner.
Monica is writing about what a vision for peace might look like in the Middle East, but it was a quote I felt so apt for the work that has been done over recent years by both herself and her husband, Roger.
Many years ago, I was fortunate to attend the same Methodist church in Edinburgh as Monica and Roger and in the years since I have watched with great admiration their development of the Balfour Project. So, it was fascinating to read in this book about the seeds of their work and how it grew to be so influential in helping people learn more about the tragic conflict in Palestine/Israel, as well as Britain’s failures that contributed towards the present tragedy.
The title of the book reflects the fact that initially, like so many people, the author knew little of Britain’s involvement in the early stages of the conflict, especially the contradictory promises that Britain made at the time of the First World War, for the time after the long-standing Ottoman Empire would be defeated.
At one point Britain promised Palestine as a state for the Arab peoples. Later, in 1917, it promised that it would be a homeland for the Jewish people, with no consideration for the political rights of the Arabs who lived there and made up 90 per cent of the population.
Britain also decided to carve up the whole of that part of the Middle East between themselves and France. Monica describes the astonishment that she and Roger felt when on a visit to the region to see friends, they learnt of this double (or triple) dealing. She writes, too, of the astonishment they felt on visiting Palestine at the sheer extent and nature of the Israeli occupation.
“At the first checkpoint,” she writes, “two young Israeli soldiers came into the bus, bristling with guns.”
It is impressive to read of the number and significance of the contacts that Monica and Roger describe on this and their later visits. Further, the sense of responsibility they felt to share the many things they had learnt from their visits and research and to educate more people as to the background of the conflict and our involvement in it.
An idea that grew into a cause and a movement
Monica describes the genesis of the idea of the Balfour Project, and how they worked to develop a charity that would promote education and advocacy, to advance the equal rights for all in Palestine/Israel and to achieve greater public awareness of Britain’s current and historic responsibilities.
As I read Monica’s account in this book, I was struck by the care they took on their many visits to Palestine/Israel to make full use of their contacts, but also to develop very many new ones with viewpoints across the spectrum.
As well as what seemed to be their astonishing ability to network and gather together supporters and fellow advocates with expertise and knowledge, we read of historians contributing two or three days a week to the project, a steering committee being formed of serious people with differing perspectives, of experts presenting papers.
We read of the numerous conferences that were arranged and of people giving their time to make them a success.
We see too the development of the invaluable website that became and remains such a rich resource for so many of us, and about the history and commentary on the occupation and associated issues.
The build-up to the 100th Balfour anniversary in 2017
All the while, there was a build-up to the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration in 2017, with planning for many events including the anniversary in Methodist Central Hall Westminster. Speakers included Parliamentarians from four parties, including the former Foreign Secretary Lord David Owen, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, a well as bishops of various Churches, Imam Ajmal Masroor and Rabbi Danny Rich. Their ambition in organising such an event in such a prestigious venue was extraordinary, but it paid off with 1,200 attending.
If people of goodwill are to make effective contributions to the cause of ending the occupation and bringing peace with justice to Palestine/Israel, they need to be fully informed and have a real understanding of the history and cultures.
Monica and Roger Spooner have performed a vital service in this cause, even amidst their ordinary lives as a retired couple in Edinburgh, enjoying family life and coping as best they can with illness.
This book will form part of the rich literature of the struggle for justice in Palestine and is an inspiring read for all whether we are involved in the campaign or just wish to see what extraordinary things can be achieved by thoughtful citizens.
Dr Stephen Leah is a local preacher in the York circuit.